Former Army chief hints at possibility of ‘foreign agency’ behind Manipur violence

New Delhi: Former Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane hinted at the possibility of foreign agencies being involved in the violence in Manipur, reports say.

During a discussion on 'National Security Perspectives' at the India International Centre in Delhi on Friday, Naravane pointed out “Chinese aid to various insurgent groups” happening in the northeastern state, NDTV reported.

In a veiled reference to China, General Naravane said ‘Internal security is very important. If there is instability not only in our neighbouring country, but in our border state, then that instability is bad for our overall national security’.

While expressing confidence in the government taking measures to control violence in Manipur, Naravane said ‘I am sure that those who are in the chair and responsible for taking actions due to be taken are doing their best and we should avoid second guessing them’.

The former Army chief said that instability does not help national security, adding that ‘involvement of foreign agencies cannot be ruled out’.

‘But I will say it is definitely there, especially Chinese aid to the various insurgent groups, they've been helping them for so many years so they will continue, I believe,’ the former Army chief stressed.

Naravane added to the discussion that there could be agencies involved in the situation who did not want normalcy in the state, because they benefit from instability.

The former Army Chief linked these reasons to the continuing violence in the state.

Manipur has been roiling in ethnic violence for nearly three months even as Home Minister Amit Shah initiated steps to restore peace.